An interiors expert has recommended a budget-friendly method for tackling oily mattress stains and yellowing using cornflour, which costs roughly 8p per treatment and requires no scrubbing or water.
Suzanne Hayes, interiors specialist at Headboards and Interiors, suggests using cornflour to absorb the greasy residue that builds up on mattresses over time. Body lotions, sun cream and perspiration can leave mattresses looking yellowed and grubby, especially after hot and humid summer nights.
How cornflour works
Cornflour works differently from the usual bicarbonate of soda mattress hack, as its aim is to absorb oily residue rather than deodorise the whole surface, Hayes explained. The technique is particularly effective on smaller stains where oily marks have penetrated the mattress, and is ideal for light grease marks and yellowing, though it won't replace a deep mattress clean or tackle deeper stains.
A 500g packet of cornflour costs around £2.55. For cleaning purposes, only a couple of tablespoons are needed, which works out at roughly 8p per treatment.
How to clean a mattress with cornflour
To deal with a mattress stain, sprinkle some cornflour onto the dry mark and leave it to settle and absorb excess oil, avoiding the temptation to rub it in. Once it has had time to work, carefully vacuum up the powder.
Hayes advised: "Let it sit on the surface and do the absorbing, then vacuum it away carefully. Scrubbing can push residue further into the fabric and make the area harder to deal with."
After the powder has been removed, the stain can be assessed to decide whether further cleaning is required.
What to do if the mark remains
If the cornflour fails to shift the stain, Hayes advises against saturating the mattress with water or cleaning products, as mattresses can take a significant amount of time to dry out completely.
She said: "If the mark is still there afterwards, check the mattress care instructions before using any wet cleaning method. Use as little moisture as possible and blot rather than scrub. Soaking a mattress can create a much bigger problem than the original mark."
